Kim Brackin Named Auburn Co-Head Coach

AUBURN, Ala., July 8. AUBURN associate head women's swimming coach Kim Brackin has been promoted to co-head coach as announced by Auburn head coach David Marsh.

Brackin, who has been with the Auburn swim program for five seasons and has helped lead the women's team into one of the most successful programs in the country including a NCAA team title in 2002.

"Kim has established herself as one of the top young coaches in America and we're excited to have convinced her to join our program," Marsh said. "I'm obviously thrilled with the job she's done in her position and I would fully anticipate, with her in a more official
leadership role, our women's program has a bright future.

"In my opinion, Kim (in her ability as a coach and recruiter) has been the single biggest factor in our program's rise from a contending team to a championship team."

The Ithaca, N.Y., native, has coached 23 All-Americans; two Olympians and Maggie Bowen, a World Champion, four-time NCAA Champion and an American Record holder while at Auburn.

Since coming to the Plains, Brackin has seen the women's team improve from an 11th place NCAA finish in 1999, to NCAA Champions in 2002.

Brackin was named as the head assistant women's coach for the 2002 US National Junior Team which took part in the XXXIX International Trophy Seven Hills meet earlier this summer in Rome.

"When I originally came to Auburn, my goal was to work toward becoming a co-head coach," Brackin said. "This is pretty satisfying, having the trust of David (Marsh), the team and the Athletic Department
including (Athletics Director) David Housel.

"For the past five years the program has taken on the challenge of emphasizing the women's team and I hope that we continue to accelerate that trend. I am very excited for the new challenges that lie ahead with this position."